Part 7/12:
The Role of Senate Dynamics and Leadership
The recent vote was also seen as a referendum on the aging Senate leadership. Chuck Schumer, nearing the end of his tenure as Senate Minority Leader, faced mounting criticism for his handling of the shutdown. The support from some Democrats indicated a recognition that continuing the shutdown would be damaging, especially to those senators up for re-election, while others, like Bernie Sanders, identified as further left and resistant to any compromise.